The Walrus - Music With Big Fuckin' Teeth!

11/14/2007

The Wipers: DIY Portland Punk

I was first introduced to The Wipers by a dwarf who was my neighbor in South Philly. It was about 3 in the morning on a Tuesday, he was cranking Is This Real? and I had to ask myself the same thing. When I went downstairs to let him borrow my headphones I also asked if I could borrow his record in the morning.

Portland, Oregonian Greg Sage started the Wipers in 1976 and their self released Is This Real? came out three years later. Imagine, if you will, an amped up, edgier, version of the Cars sans the sunglasses and polished production. Kurt Cobain was so into these guys he went so far as to help produce a tribute album called 14 Songs for Greg Sage and the Wipers. Mr. Sage is still kicking around in Phoenix, Arizona and he's selling his wares via his personal label,Zeno Records. Listen to these two mp3's for a taste of the Wipers then go buy their stuff!